1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The play begins with the playwright and main character of the play, David Henry Hwang, reading an email Marcus, who is currently in China. This email reminds him of a time in his life approximately a decade ago, when he was very upset about a play casting a Caucasian actor for an Asian character. This actor was to be in Yellow Face, which upset Hwang. He goes on to write his own play in which he accidentally casts a Caucasian actor, Marcus, for an Asian character.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion most likely occurs when DHH learns that Marcus is actually Caucasian instead of Asian. The actor that was supposed to audition for the role in DHH's play played a Japanese-American soldier during World War II, but they accidentally brought his co-star. Later when DHH talks to the actor who was supposed to try out for the play, he learns that Marcus is actually Caucasian.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
This is the day that DHH reads an email from Marcus and is taken back to a complicated and difficult time in his life.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
What will DHH do now that he knows Marcus isCaucasian? How long will Marcus get away with being Asian? What will the consequences be when the truth is revealed?
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
DHH faces conflict against the NWOAOC when they throw racial slurs at HYH. He also faces an internal conflict when he is trying to decide the right thing to do when he learns that Marcus is not Asian.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
One of the most theatrical moments in the play occurs when Marcus reveals he is not really Asian while Asian-Americans were being investigated. I think in this moment, Marcus had finally had enough of the prejudices he faced as he identified as an Asian American. He finally decided to take off his "mask" and reveal his true face; a face that would release him from minority prejudice. DHH and HYH, however, cannot take off the minority "mask" and have to face racial discrimination every day.
The play begins with the playwright and main character of the play, David Henry Hwang, reading an email Marcus, who is currently in China. This email reminds him of a time in his life approximately a decade ago, when he was very upset about a play casting a Caucasian actor for an Asian character. This actor was to be in Yellow Face, which upset Hwang. He goes on to write his own play in which he accidentally casts a Caucasian actor, Marcus, for an Asian character.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion most likely occurs when DHH learns that Marcus is actually Caucasian instead of Asian. The actor that was supposed to audition for the role in DHH's play played a Japanese-American soldier during World War II, but they accidentally brought his co-star. Later when DHH talks to the actor who was supposed to try out for the play, he learns that Marcus is actually Caucasian.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
This is the day that DHH reads an email from Marcus and is taken back to a complicated and difficult time in his life.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
What will DHH do now that he knows Marcus is Caucasian? How long will Marcus get away with being Asian? What will the consequences be when the truth is revealed?
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
DHH faces conflict against the NWOAOC when they throw racial slurs at HYH. He also faces an internal conflict when he is trying to decide the right thing to do when he learns that Marcus is not Asian.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
One of the most theatrical moments in the play occurs when Marcus reveals he is not really Asian while Asian-Americans were being investigated. I think in this moment, Marcus had finally had enough of the prejudices he faced as he identified as an Asian American. He finally decided to take off his "mask" and reveal his true face; a face that would release him from minority prejudice. DHH and HYH, however, cannot take off the minority "mask" and have to face racial discrimination every day.